The anti-union rhetoric and anti-worker policy that ran wild during the four years of the Trump administration instilled fear in many within the labor community. The incoming Biden administration has given them hope and has calmed their nerves.

Former International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) President and independent labor voice Tom Buffenbarger joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of this election on the labor community and more.

Optimism following the 2020 election

Buffenbarger said he has seen the vision of Joe Biden throughout his Senatorial career and as the Vice President. The way that he is able to look ahead at what the results of his actions may be is what makes him a great choice for this point in time.

President-elect Biden has some big hurdles to jump before he can truly begin executing his agenda. The first thing Biden will need to do is put forth a plan to help the U.S. recover from the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After this, he believes Biden has a massive bucket list of labor specific objectives. One of these objectives being an infrastructure bill, something that President Trump ran his 2016 campaign on and then failed to accomplish.

Biden ran as a union-friendly candidate. This has led many to speculate that Biden will nominate union leaders, or those with union experience to Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Commerce.

IAM organizing and the future of Boeing

Buffenbarger then highlighted a recent IAM organizing victory. The employees at the Milwaukee Art Museum voted to join the IAM. These employees work in all capacities at the museum and organizing increased their value as a workforce.

On the other hand, Boeing continues to go down a path that they may not be able to come back from. With COVID-19 and anticipated layoffs, the quality of product from the company may drop, diminishing their status within the industry.

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